Latest news with #BillyBranch
CBS News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Rosa's Lounge in Logan Square launches record label, with Billy Branch as first signed artist
Legendary Chicago blues bar Rosa's Lounge in Logan Square is launching its very own record label. Rosa's Lounge has been in business for more than 40 years, and hope their new record label will help even more people enjoy soulful music. And the first artist they signed has a strong connection to the nightclub. "When you got a good crowd and you're reaching the crowd, and you can tell when they're with you, it's a wonderful feeling," said musician Billy Branch "It's a connection between you and the audience." The blues legend has felt that connection many times at Rosa's Lounge; in fact, he was the first act the day the nightclub opened more than 40 years ago. Now he's the first artist signed to Rosa's new record label and is their first single "Begging for Change." "It's a metaphor. Literally, you can't go outside without someone begging for money, but people are also begging for change because they're not happy with their current situation," he said. Tony Mangiullo owns the lounge and, now, the record label. He fell in love with the blues as a young musician in Italy, and opened Rosa's, named for his mother, in 1984. "We always kept some sort of record of what we've done through the years, because we believed we had something valuable," he said. Those records include pictures, videos and – during COVID - live streams. For him, the record label is the next logical step and Branch is the perfect person to help launch it. "It's definitely the most natural because of our long partnership," Mangiullo said. "He represented the new generation of the Chicago blues and I wanted him to put us on that path." "It's new, it's united, it's unproven, but every label has to start somewhere and given the long history that I have with Rosa's, it seemed to make sense," Branch said. Branch's new single comes out on vinyl Aug. 1, with launch parties on Aug. 1 and 2 at Rosa's Lounge. "Begging for Change" is already available through streaming, and Branch's next full album comes out Nov. 7.
CBS News
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Bobby Rush, Billy Branch kicks off 2025 Chicago Blues Festival in Bridgeport
Blues Fest kicks off Thursday in Bridgeport Blues Fest kicks off Thursday in Bridgeport Blues Fest kicks off Thursday in Bridgeport The Chicago Blues Festival is back in Chicago this weekend, featuring the biggest names in the genre. The free four-day festival kicks off on Thursday in the Bridgeport neighborhood and will be held in Millennium Park on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Festivities start Thursday night at the Ramova Theatre with Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues and Bobby Rush. Entry into the venue will be on a first-come, first-served basis. 2025 Chicago Blues Fest full schedule For those looking to attend the event, here's when and where you can find the performers: Thursday Ramova Theatre 7:30-8:30 p.m. - Billy Branch and The Sons of Blues 9-10:15 p.m. - Bobby Rush Friday Jay Pritzker Pavilion 3:45-4 p.m. - Emcee Intro Remarks + National Anthem + Lift Every Voice 4-5 p.m. - D.K. Harrell 5:15-6:15 p.m. - Dawn Tyler Watson 6:30-7:15 p.m. - John Primer with Steve Bell 7:30-9:00 p.m. - B.B. King Centennial Tribute featuring Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, D.K. Harrell, and Jonathan Ellison with the B.B. King Centennial Band, co-presented with the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. Rosa's Lounge (North Promenade) 12:30-1:45 p.m. - Ivan Singh 2-3:15 p.m. - Jamiah "Dirty Deacon" Rogers and the Dirty Church Band 3:30-4:45 p.m. - Rico McFarland 5-6:15 p.m. - Sheryl Youngblood 6:30-7:45 p.m. - The Mike Wheeler Band Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade) Noon- 1:15 p.m. - Lady Adrena and LA Band 1:30-2:45 p.m. - Vick Allen featuring the Velvet Soul Band 3-4:15 p.m. - Johnny Rawls Soul Review 4:30-5:45 p.m. - Eddie Cotton Saturday Jay Pritzker Pavilion 3:45-4 p.m. - Emcee Intro Remarks, National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing 4-5:15 p.m. - Women in Blues Tribute to Denise LaSalle featuring Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace, and Mzz Reese with Jonathan Ellison 5:30-6:15 p.m. - Joey J. Saye, Stephen Hull, and Harrell "Young Rell" Davenport 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Latimore 7:45-9 p.m. - Christone "Kingfish" Ingram Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade) Noon- 1:15 p.m. - 2 Blues for You 1:30-2:45 p.m. - Jesse Robinson 3-4:15 p.m. - Vickie Baker, The V Souls, and The Groove Crew 4:30-5:45 p.m. - John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band Rosa's Lounge (North Promenade) 12:30-1:45 p.m. - Stefan Hillesheim Band 2-3:15 p.m. - Michael Damani 3:30-4:45 p.m. - Lynne Jordan and the Shivers 5-6:15 p.m. - Joe Barr and the Platinum Band 6:30-7:45 p.m. - Theo Huff Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace - Next Generation of Blues 11-11:45 a.m. - Wendy & DB noon-12:45 p.m. - Chicago Blues Revival 1-1:45 p.m. - Curie Metro High School 2-2:45 p.m. - Bandwith 3-4 p.m. - VanderCook College of Music Sunday Jay Pritzker Pavilion 3:30-3:45 p.m. - Emcee Intro Remarks + National Anthem + Lift Every Voice and Sing 3:45-5 p.m. - Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Chess Records with special guest artists, Mud Morganfield, Mitty Collier, Charles Berry, Jr., Charles Berry III, Melvin Taylor, Louisiana Al, Joe Barr, Steve Bell, Rodrigo Mantovani, Dudley Owens, Rick Hall, Simbryt Dortch, Lady Patice, Mae Koen, Sam Chess, and Joe Pratt 5:15-6:15 p.m. - C.J. Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Lurrie Bell and Frank Catalano 7:30-7:45 p.m. - Avery R. Young, Chicago Poet Laureate 7:45-9 p.m. - Mavis Staples Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade) Noon- 1:15 p.m. - Stevie J and The Blues Eruption 1:30-2:45 p.m. - Nellie "Tiger" Travis 3-4:15 p.m. - Jonathan Ellison 4:30-5:45 p.m. - Ms. Jody Rosa's Lounge (North Promenade) 12:30-1:45 p.m. - Harrell "Young Rell" Davenport 2-3:15 p.m. - Jimmy Burns Band 3:30-4:45 p.m. - Nick Alexander Blues Band 5-6:15 p.m. - Sonia Astacio 6:30-7:45 p.m. - 3 by 3 Crew: Freddie Dixon, John Watkins, Maurice Vaughn with Tim Taylor Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace - Next Generation of Blues 11-11:45 a.m. - Wiggleworms featuring Amanda Payne & Will Fancher of Old Town School of Folk Music noon-12:45 p.m. - Fernando Jones Presents the Knott Us Band 1-1:45 p.m. - Kenwood Academy High School 2-2:45 p.m. - Nicholas Senn High School 3-4 p.m. - A Patch of Blues
